First Time Buyers..

bernie47

I would appreciate it if any1 could put us in the right direction plz, we are moving into our first house just after xmas but we are looking at getting the right Electric and Gas provider before we move in.

What would be the first steps to finding the right provider and cheapest as apposed to these money"upermarkets they just ask you what your paying now which we dont know really? so we just want to be sure so they done catch us out.

We are in the Bpool area.

Any help would be much appreciated!!!!:j

Premier_2

You'll need to register with the existing suppliers when you move in.

Cardew

Firstly you have no option but to use the present supplier initially - as soon as you turn on a light, you have entered a legally binding deemed contract with that company.

Make sure you read both meters as soon as you move in and give that reading to the Utility company straight away. - Many end up paying for the previous occupants gas and electricity if you delay.

You need to ask neighbours with similar properties/lifestyle(out at work? 6 kids? etc) what they use.

Failing that, just estimate consumption - not payments. The UK average is 20,500kWh and 3,300kWh per year. Gas will vary a lot depending on the type of property, small flat, 3 bed semi, 6 bed mansion etc.

Try several combinations and a pattern will emerge. For present tariff just enter 'BG standard' as it doesn't matter what your initial tariff will be, you are only interested in future tariffs.

bernie47

Thanks for the good advice cardew!!!! :beer:

Yeh funny enough my mum and dad are 2 doors down, lol, and they had an issue with npower a few years bak, but the house is an end terressed 3 bedder.

The actual provider is npower (tut tut) which are doing the dual fuel, so now we ahev got a bit of time to sort it, move in set up the readings and then off from there! fingers crossed...

PS
npower are getting quite a good rating in our area now which is a bit strange as well??

bmd16

I have just moved into my first flat and have called the existing suppliers to change the account to our names and not the previous occupants, are we now committed to staying with the company for a set time and should we have to pay an exit fee?

I was having a look at the Energysmart option offered by British Gas, we are currently with Scottish Power, it sounds good because you can find out exactly how much you use every month, does anyone have experience of it?

Cardew

bmd16 wrote: »

I have just moved into my first flat and have called the existing suppliers to change the account to our names and not the previous occupants, are we now committed to staying with the company for a set time and should we have to pay an exit fee?

I was having a look at the Energysmart option offered by British Gas, we are currently with Scottish Power, it sounds good because you can find out exactly how much you use every month, does anyone have experience of it?

On exit fee it depends what tariff you have with SP; although there is a cooling off period.

The Energysmart option cannot be used with the only BG tariff(for new users) worth having - Websaver 4 - so don't bother!!